renan_ozturkExciting news on the @merufilm front: ------------------------------------------------------- "Happy to announce that @merufilm will be released in theaters this summer....Music Box Films has acquired US theatrical rights to @merufilm and Showtime Network has purchased the US television rights." -

renan_ozturkThe day we arrived at basecamp on the #MyanmarClimb, a few of the younger porter boys disappeared. An hour later, I looked over to see them hundreds of feet up the mountain, taking selfies of each other with ice balls. It was the first time they had ever been that high, or seen snow. They were also directly in an avalanche slide path, so we had to subtly end their party. #jungleboysgonewild@thenorthface@natgeo@camp4collective1w

renan_ozturkA tattered India ink and 'yosemite' bic pen piece from way back in 2004 from 'Chongo's Office' - the spot in the meadow below Half Dome where the dirtbag climbers hang out. Chongo is to the Yosemite dirtbags what the Dalai Lama is to Bhuddists, a spiritual leader. Although he was never the hardest or fastest climber, his love for Yosemite is as vast as his positive outlook on life. "Life is bitchen, isn't it?" he would often say sitting below the giant pines looking up at this view. After 15+ years living under the rocks, the rangers brought up a ridiculous lawsuit against him as a 'master of counter-surveillance.' Despite all the climber 'monkeys' showing up in court to support him, he was kicked out of his homeland for no apparent reason. Now he lives within the homeless community in Sacramento, hopefully plotting his return... #chongonation#freechongo2w

renan_ozturkThe little buddy @baloointhewild is growing fast! And so are his paws. Taking bets on his final adult weight (1 year from now). All correct guesses (+/- a half lb) will go into a drawing, and I will mail one of my paintings to the winner. Paw-print signed by Baloo too. 2w

renan_ozturkBridger Jacks, Indian Creek. @taylorfreesolo and I took my brother @lilrockmonkey who had never been, for flappin gobis and overhanging fist jams. It was also @baloointhewild's first trip to the desert. A few cactus encounters, but by the end he was pressing mantles over rock steps. As unforgiving as crack climbing feels on our tender hands and feet, it was inspiring running into Jim Donini (71) and Jay Smith who put up a new route and are showing no signs of slowing down. 2w

renan_ozturkThe sacred 'fishtail' peak of the Annapurna Himalaya as seen at 24K feet from the @shotovercamera camera system. It's slopes and summit are believed to be the abode of god Shiva and are off limits to climbing. Everest and many other big peaks in Nepal are also sacred to locals but were never restricted. -

renan_ozturkAfter a cold bout in Himalayan winter this @yeticycles shot is getting me psyched to ride! - "Trail bikes these days... We spent most of our week in Green River digging a new jump very near to this canyon gap. One morning @shawnneer decided to take a go at it, so I calmly put my shovel down and picked my camera up. What ensued was one of the gnarlier things I've ever seen on a bike... ever! " @joeyschusler words and photo #SwitchInfinity#YetiCycles#SB6c3w

renan_ozturkI never went to photography school, but was always inspired by the pros who were on assignment shooting our @thenorthface expeditions, like @timkemple@jimmy_chin@kephoto. Everyone has their own style. Some choreograph the perfect shot in the perfect light, press the shutter and walk away with an international print ad campaign. Others are shooting constantly, hoping for that 5% of real gritty raw moments. And obviously a lot in between. Normally @timkemple is the master of perfectly composed commercial shots, but on our Nepal trip it was good to see him not take any moment for granted. This day, we had been shooting for hours and were about ready to turn back. I ran down to grab the tent and pack up, looked up, and there he was shooting this final moment of the day. Even the pros have to reinvent themselves and push harder every trip. [@timkemple photo with the @phaseonephoto] 3w

renan_ozturkThe first marks on a big canvas during our 2008 @merufilm@thenorthface expedition. Usually for the initial gesture of the painting I drag it around a mile trek surrounding base-camp to get a 'roaming perspective' of landscape. It's kind of like a pano or stitched photo of all the mountains in the range but one you could never shoot from one particular spot. Once I get this layout down, when all the peaks are visible, then I'm free to work on sections in the dome tent during storms....and always popping out to see if certain formations have emerged to give me more inspiration. It's always a bit intimidating getting going and trying to finish in the field. [photo: @jimmy_chin@merufilm collection] 4w